MOTOCROSS ACTION MID-WEEK REPORT

On May 6, 2020 Last updated May 6, 2020

TWO-STROKE SPOTLIGHT: MICHAEL GIGAX KTM/KX500 BUILD

2012 KTM 250SX chassis with a 1990 KX500 engine shoehorned in.

“This is a 2012 KTM 250SX chassis with a 1990 KX500 engine. I bought the bike from a guy in Washington who did the basic build. I then had it shipped across the country. I actually already had a 2012 KTM 250SX that was pretty tricked out so I moved the suspension (Ohlins), triple clamps, and wheels over to the 500 then sold the 250. The bike came with a knock off Chinese Keihin carb that was impossible to jet. Also the air boot was too long which was resulting in compression of the boot and narrowing of the intake tract. I replaced the carb with an OEM Keihin, shortened the boot, and got the bike running great. The suspension works great on the 500. This bike can be seen at Action Extreme Sports in New Philadelphia Ohio until the weather breaks if anyone is interested in getting a better look. Stop by and check out the bike and the shop.” –Mike Gigax.

Editors Note: Please keep those submissions coming. If you would like your bike to be featured in the “Two-Stroke Spotlight,” please email me at [email protected]. All I ask is that you give a breakdown of your bike and a detailed description of the build. Please also send a few photos of your steed. By submitting your bike for the “Two-Stroke Spotlight,” you agree to release all ownership rights to the images and copy to MXA.

#WHIPITWEDNESDAY

Rider: Ricky Carmichael
Year: 2002
Event: Washougal Outdoor National
Bike: Factory Honda CR250

MITCH PAYTON TELLS YOU WHAT THE BEST TEE HANDLES ARE

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HONDA’S MX2 SWEDISH RIDER ALVIN OSTLIND TALKS ABOUT SWEDEN NOT LOCKING DOWN DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

WHAT IS IT LIKE BEING IN SWEDEN AND NOT REALLY BEING LOCKDOWN? To be honest, it is like living normally. I can do everything like I usually do. We can go out and eat in the restaurant if we want and riding motocross isn’t a problem either. I think I am very lucky.

IS IT WEIRD THAT LIFE FOR YOU HASN’T CHANGED, AND YET YOU’RE OBVIOUSLY SEEING ALL THE OTHER RIDERS AND PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHO ARE HAVING TO ADAPT QUITE A LOT? Yes, it is a little bit weird because I see everyone posting with the hashtags #stayhome on social media and for me, I can just live like normal. It is strange but I am trying to use the time wisely and take advantage of the circumstances and try to improve myself. My life is the same and I can ride motocross so I am doing that and hoping it will help me. I am making sure to see this as a positive.

HOW IS THE NEWS BEING REPORTED THERE? DO YOU THINK THAT IT IS THE RIGHT DECISION OR THE WRONG DECISION, WHAT SWEDEN IS DOING? I’m not into it very much, I don’t follow too closely. The only thing they really closed down were the ski mountains, there are usually a lot of people at this time and they closed it for this year. I think that was a good idea because it stopped a lot of tourists coming here. I think it is not good that so many jobs are shut around the world because the economy will be very bad and a lot of people will suffer. At the same time though, we have many cases here in Sweden with lots of sick people so it is very hard to say. No one really knows the right way to do things.

THE TEAM YOU RIDE FOR, TEAM ASSOMOTOR HONDA IS BASED IN ITALY, WHO ARE UNDER SEVERE LOCKDOWN, HAVE YOU HAD ANY PROBLEMS OF NEEDING PARTS OR ANYTHING? I was very lucky actually because I had planned to stay in Sweden during the season and train here. So when we went to Matterley Basin, we came from Italy and I took everything I needed for a whole summer of training on the bike. So I have spare parts, tires, two Honda CR250Rs and everything else. I was very lucky because at the moment I don’t need anything from the team. I keep in touch with them regularly though and speak to them just to let them know how I’m progressing.

AT THE MOMENT NO ONE TRULY KNOWS WHEN THE SEASON IS GOING TO START, IS IT HARD TO TRAIN PROPERLY? Yes, it is tough because it has changed a lot in the past few weeks. Now, I’ve tried to get myself a plan for each week and each day and stick to that. You also need to think about the fact that it could be a long season also, and that we could run until the end of November so you have to be fit and motivated for a long time. So, I have this in the back of my mind and this is why, even though I can, I am choosing to only ride one or two times a week. I am focusing more on physical training.

I am making sure that I should be okay to ride until the end of November because with this break we are having now, I think riding a couple of months later in the year shouldn’t be a problem. Now if it keeps getting later and we are having to ride in December, it will be different because it will affect next season but November should be okay.

MXA TESTS THE 2020 YAMAHA YZ125

WHAT THE MXA WRECKING CREW IS UP TO

We got hooked up with Brian Deegan through Jamie Ellis at Twisted Development to test out Haiden Deegan’s KTM 112cc Supermini. At the Deegan compound, they have numerous tracks that all have huge jumps. Haiden took his new Supermini, strapped on an MXA helmet, and spun laps on his full-blown Supercross track like a true professional.

Haiden looks like a true pro on a full blown Supercross track.

Haiden on the on-off section.

Mitchell Oldenburg was riding with Haiden to test out his new race bike.

The legend, Brian Deegan filming some shots of Haiden on the SX track.

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WE RIDE ZACH BELL’S WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP TC250 RAW VIDEO

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